Day 1Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2Sun. ARRIVAL IN MADRID
The Plaza de Toros in Madrid
, SPAIN
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring lively Madrid. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (Dinner)
Day 3Mon. MADRID
Of the Spanish capital, situated 2,180 feet above sea level, the Spaniards say it’s the nearest thing to heaven. You’ve only a day here and it’s certainly worth making the most of it by joining the included guided sightseeing tour: a full panoramic drive by way of the Avenida Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Parliament Square, and a picture stop outside the Royal Palace. The optional trip to Toledo is most rewarding, too. The splendid setting of this old walled city above the Tagus was made famous in El Greco’s painting, and even now it’s like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art. (Breakfast)
Day 4Tue. MADRID-AVILA-COIMBRA, PORTUGAL
West for a visit to fortified Avila with its many towers. Next is Salamanca, just six miles from the spot where Wellington routed Napoleon’s army in 1812. Make sure you spend some time wandering around Plaza Mayor, the grandest square in Spain. Across the frontier to Guarda, the highest town in Portugal. From here, descend to the valleys of the Serra da Estrela to Coimbra for an overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5Wed. COIMBRA-FATIMA
Fatima
-LISBON
This morning, enjoy your orientation tour of Coimbra, celebrated for its beauty and ancient university. Later, travel southwards to Batalha with a visit to its beautifully sited monastery. Today’s penultimate highlight is a visit to the Sanctuary of Fatima. A sterner and more desolate landscape accompanies you to Lisbon for your overnight in Portugal’s capital. A stop en route includes a wine bodega and some wine tasting. (Breakfast)
Day 6Thu. LISBON
Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century mistress of the seas. On the included tour, see his monument, the Belem Tower, the Moorish Citadel, and the impressive Black Horse Square. Spend the afternoon in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion to coastal Estoril and Cascais. (Breakfast)
Day 7Fri. LISBON-SEVILLE, SPAIN
The Tower of Gold alongside the Guadalquivir River in Seville
From the rolling plains of the Alentejo with its woodlands of cork and eucalyptus trees, southwards all the way to the brilliant light of Andalucia. Admire its neat white-painted villages and sun-drenched plantations of olives, figs, and almonds, while traveling by way of Beja into magnificent Seville
Explore the beautiful city of Seville, the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of Southern Spain
. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8Sat. SEVILLE
At leisure in one of Spain’s most colorful cities. Perhaps you’d like to spend this morning enjoying an optional sightseeing tour including the main highlights of this vibrant city. (Breakfast)
Day 9Sun. SEVILLE-FERRY TO MOROCCO-FEZ
An interesting drive today which starts with views of the sherry wine region before reaching the coast for embarkation on the ferry to Morocco. Next, motor south along what was once northern Africa’s infamous Barbary Coast. Join the new motorway for the drive southwards, then west, bypassing Meknes for two overnights in Fez. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10Mon. FEZ
At leisure in ancient Fez, which occupies a position of outstanding scenic beauty. This morning, visit the Medina on the included sightseeing and enjoy the maze of narrow streets through the colourful bazaars and the exotic atmosphere. (Breakfast)
Day 11Tue. FEZ-MIDDLE ATLAS-MARRAKESH
Marrakesh
Enjoy glimpses of North African village life reminiscent of Beau Geste while motoring through the Middle Atlas on your way to Marrakesh. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12Wed. MARRAKESH
The highlight of this morning is the included city sightseeing. You’ll really feel as if you’ve stopped the march of time. Marrakesh has always been a meeting place—first just a group of nomad tents, now a bustling city. An optional evening excursion will be a fitting choice to end the day. (Breakfast)
Day 13Thu. MARRAKESH-CASABLANCA
Walk through the massive stone walls of the Hassan II Mosque
-RABAT
This morning, drive northwest from the heartland of Morocco by way of Settat to reach the most western of all Moroccan cities—Casablanca. Stop here awhile. Later in the afternoon, continue by way of the motorway northwards to Rabat, Morocco’s capital for city sightseeing and an overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 14Fri. RABAT-FERRY CROSSING TO SPAIN-GRANADA
Today an early departure retraces your steps northwards for the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to mainland Spain, and drive directly to the heart of Andalucia to reach Granada for an overnight. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 15Sat. GRANADA-MADRID
Take advantage of the included visit with a Local Guide of the Alhambra
The Alhambra features Islamic architecture and beautifully detailed gardens
, a summer complex built by the Moorish kings. This afternoon, drive into the very heart of La Mancha, famed for its castle and windmills. Overnight in Madrid. (Breakfast)
Day 16Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(Breakfast)
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Airport transfers may be included when you make your flight arrangements. Click Here for more information.